Monday, November 30, 2009

Guess I know why it's called "Swiss" cheese. It's full of holes.

So now Switzerland has banned mosque minarets. Has it banned other religious architecture? Nope - they're not even trying to maintain an image of objectivity. It kind of offends me that they're not trying harder to spare our feelings:
Supporters of a ban claimed that allowing minarets would represent the growth of an ideology and a legal system - Sharia law - which are incompatible with Swiss democracy.

They are afraid of what minarets say about a potential Islamic takeover. What can I say, their reasonings are flawless - in fact, I should've called up the Swiss government when I was afraid of the boogie man under my bed...they seem to have impeccable insight and logic.

These I think are the next things that will likely be banned in Switzerland and elsewhere around the world as whities attempt to subdue Islamic forces from taking over their lands:

1. Miswaks: because damn those Mozlems for have clean teeth by any other method than the correct, democratically produced combination of a toothbrush and toothpaste!

2. Sensible shoes for women: all Muslim women will be forced by Western nations to be "equal" to other women. They will now force Muslim women to wear all forms of liberating hooker-boot footwear.

3. Halal meat: only animals slaughtered by pagans will be allowed in Muslim markets, because uttering the basmalah on a cow is sooo last century.

4. Samosas and curry: frankly, they are an affront to our democratically selected bland ways of eating.

Other items may include, but are not limited to: Shib shibs/Chappal, thobes, basmati rice, olive oil, prayer beads (tasbih), and Quran CDs hanging from your rear view mirror.


Not to minimize the situation or anything...but frankly, a world without samosas scares me.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

This is my Intelligence Quota of the Day

How do you define intelligence?

I was rummaging through some of my old things recently and I happened upon a series of notebooks where I had written poetry, thoughts, and reflections. They were actually very impressive - I haven't written really raw stuff like that in years. I also had a large collection of newspaper clippings (dating back almost 10 years) of stuff I was passionate (AKA angry) about.

And it made me start thinking about what "intelligence" really was. I would not have considered myself intelligent or enlightened as a teenager, but reflecting on the kinds of thoughts I put to paper and the things I cared about, I was a damn smart cookie.

We tend to dismiss young people and those amongst us seen as "uneducated" as somehow beneath our level of intelligence. Because at some point, some white guy defined intelligence as the ability to use the biggest words possible and understand language that only PhD students can wrangle with. If you're a math whiz, you're intelligent. If you need a calculator to do simple sums, you're dumb.

Well, I say screw that definition.

I'm going to use incorrect grammar and words that don't exist and still think I'm a brainer.

I'm going to finish my masters and still think I'm dumber than a doorknob.

I'm going to use a calculator to add 12 to 7 and still think I'm the smartest kid on the block.

I'm going to finish reading complicated texts cover to cover and still think bouncy balls and blowing bubbles is better.

Because intelligence isn't about what you can and can't do. Intelligence, to me, is a thought process. It's being courageous enough to believe in something and not back down from it unless you're proven to be wrong. Intelligence is knowing when to shut up. Intelligence is wisdom; and they can't be torn apart. Intelligence is recognizing God. Intelligence is being at peace with being different.

Entering a state of intelligence means you've realized you don't have to prove it to anyone.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I find it highly problematic that someone found my blog by googling "dont desire marriage muslim female."

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Somewhere over the rainbow...

I kind of wish I was in a black and white movie. Or over the rainbow. Whichever is more doable.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Monday, November 09, 2009

Joseph was kind,
the beautiful manifestation of faith:
full heart, firm patience.

His heart held no spite from the bottom of the well–
just overflowing faith,
only speaking good words about God
through prison bars and between dusty travels.

I found Your Joseph in history,
and I loved him.
Would that the Josephs of our time
were as beautiful.

Monday, November 02, 2009

What's all this talk about...Niqab?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you'll know that there has been major talk about niqab. The Muslim Canadian Congress released a statement in response to the issue (which first surfaced in Egypt): http://www.muslimcanadiancongress.org/20091008.html

I have nothing intricately intelligent to say with regards to the niqab issue. I have nothing to say about the religious backing for niqab, or the opinions of Islamic scholars. Essentially, this issue has nothing to do with that. It's about intolerance and racism.

But I would like to say is this: men need to stop telling women what and what not to wear. The thing that angers me the most is the presumptuous positions that people and groups take on issues that they have no experience with.

If you're a man, you've never had to experience the racism that comes along with wearing hijab or niqab. If you're a man, you haven't made that choice to wear something that will forever change the perceptions of people about you. You haven't, so what right do you have to speak on the issue as if you own it?

As for women who are speaking out against niqab - what if you're next? What if your clothing and way of life comes under the scrutiny of the government, and you feel powerless and hurt and defensive? If a niqab-ban is put into place, what and who is going to be next? When your turn comes, no one will be left to fight for you.

So stop talking, or we might make you stop.